Alexander County administration and school board members recognized nineteen school system employees as they retired from the school system with a ceremony and reception on Thursday, May 31, 2018. The ceremony was held at Alexander Central High School cafeteria and included comments by Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Hefner. School Chairman Scott Bowman and school board members, Sallie Hartis and Brigette Rhyne, presented each retiree with a plaque and a dark pink rose which represents gratitude. The retirees served the school system with a combined total of 473 years of service. Ten of the nineteen retirees served twenty-five or more years. ACS retirees pictured left to right: Jewel Warren, Amy Johnson, Kathy Elder, Sherry Williams, Donna Bowman, Angela King, Phyllis A. Fox, and Jill Peek. Not pictured Dianne P. Chapman, Teresa Jennings, Donna Waugh, Susan C. Dyson, Sandra Wright, Xenopheon “Todd” Fox, Connie Simmons, Carolyn Hart, Sandra Marlowe, Audie Sprinkle, and Sharon Wessollek. Click the title for more photos.

A Special Message from Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Hefner On May 16th, thousands of teachers from across North Carolina are expected to travel to Raleigh for the "March For Students and Rally For Respect" gathering. The purpose of this event is to lobby state lawmakers to invest more in educational spending per student; create a multi-year pay plan for teachers, support staff, administrators and all other school personnel; increase the number of school nurses, counselors, social workers and other support personnel; expand Medicaid to improve community health; and create a statewide school construction bond to fix crumbling schools and reduce large class sizes. At this time, 71 teachers have requested personal leave or leave without pay and that is a much higher rate than normal for teacher absences on a typical day. Therefore, the Alexander County Board of Education voted unanimously on May 8th to revise the current school calendar if a higher rate of absence for teachers was anticipated. On Wednesday May 16, 2018, Alexander County Schools will be closed for students with an optional workday for all staff. All high school students scheduled to take AP exams that day will still need to report to East Taylorsville Baptist Church by 8:00 a.m. This decision has been made to demonstrate support for our teachers and ensure that student safety is never compromised. We appreciate your understanding, as it is our goal to provide your child the best educational experience possible each and every day. Additional information can be found on the Alexander County Schools web page and social media.

Pictured left to right front row: Certified Support Staff of the Year Kelly This, Teacher of the Year Amber Treadway, and Beginning Teacher of the Year Justin Chandler. Back row left to right: Principal of the Year Jason Evans and Classified Support Staff of the Year Nikki McClain.

The 3rd Annual Taylorsville Apple Blossom Festival is Saturday, May 5, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Plan to visit all 200 + vendors. There will be two entertainment stages with Elvis visiting on Main at 12:00 p.m. Please support the festival where all of the proceeds above operating costs go to the Alexander County Schools' Children's Benevolence Fund.

Alexander County Schools will participate in a scheduled tornado drill on Wednesday, March 7 at 9:30 a.m. The annual drill is conducted each year during North Carolina’s Severe Weather Preparedness Week. The National Weather Service and the North Carolina Department of Public Safety team up each year to provide information for North Carolina residents about severe weather. Schools and government buildings statewide will hold tornado drills Wednesday, March 7, at 9:30 a.m. to practice their emergency plans. Test messages will be broadcast on National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather radios and the Emergency Alert System. All North Carolinians are encouraged to participate in the drill. We have listed key points to ensure severe weather safety on this link. Click here to read more.

Alexander Central High School Teacher Scottie Cook was awarded a $5,000 grant from the Tobacco Trust Fund Commission to purchase a portable band saw to all students the opportunity to learn about milling lumber. There is a great need to offer Agriscience Applications, Agricultural Mechanics I and II, and Natural Resources I and II. These classes provide the opportunity to learn about milling lumber. The purchase of a band saw allows students to see how lumber is milled from the tree to the finished board. Mr. Cook was unable to attend the school board meeting. Tyler Mitchell accepted the certificate on his behalf. Alexander Central High School Teacher JD Sink was awarded grants from Carolina Farm Credit and Tractor Supply Company. The Carolina Farm Credit Mission Fund awarded $5,000 to be used specifically for the ACHS Agriculture/FFA Livestock Learning Lab. The lab will be located just below the gardens at ACHS. It will include a Livestock barn that will periodically house farm animals for educational purposes and experiments. This will provide students with hands-on experiences to help them make decisions on their farms or in their places of employment. The Tractor Supply Company awarded $1,108 to help fund the Livestock Learning Lab. This grant award will be used in educating youth in the proper handling and management of all livestock on the farm.

Alexander County School Board members and administration recognized ten certified staff members who completed National Board Certification during the February school board meeting. Five staff members from three of Alexander County Schools obtained certification for the first time. They include Payton Boyles (ACHS), Amanda Marshall (ACHS), Travis Crowder (EAMS), Toni Smith (EAMS), and Ashley Huss (WAMS). Five staff members were also honored that have renewed their national certification. They include Tara Geiger (TES), Angela Hickerson (ACHS), Cristi Julsrud (EAMS), Brian Lewis (ACHS), and Elisabeth Turner (ACHS). North Carolina continues to lead the nation in the number of teachers that have earned certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. The certification is rigorous performance-based assessment that typically takes from one to three years to complete and measures what accomplished teachers and counselors should know and be able to do. Teachers in North Carolina that achieve certification receive a 12 percent salary supplement to their regular pay that is good for the 10-year life of the certification. They also are awarded eight continuing education credits (CEUs).

The Alexander County Middle School Geography Bee was held Thursday, January 11, 2018, at the Alexander County Board of Education office. Michael Brown, West Alexander Middle School student, was the winner of the county competition. Adan Warner, West Alexander Middle School student, was the second place winner.

Mrs. Jenna Buff has been named the Alexander County Schools Exceptional Children's Teacher of Excellence for 2017. Jenna is an EC teacher at Sugar Loaf Elementary, and she was recognized at the Exceptional Children Division's 67th Conference on November 16 in Greensboro, NC.

Alexander County Schools will host a Community Partners Celebration on Monday, October 16, at 6:00 PM in the Alexander Central Auditorium. The celebration will begin with a reception honoring the partners followed by a brief ceremony. The celebration will recognize business, civic, and faith community partners who have contributed in some way to the schools or school system. For more information, please contact Debra Watts at 828-632-7001 ext. 202.

Alexander County School Administration announced early dismissal days for the 2017-2018 school year including ten early dismissal days designated for elementary schools only. The decision to increase the number of early dismissal days only for elementary schools was based on the need for more planning time for elementary teachers. The high school operates on a block schedule of 90-minute periods and the middle schools also operate on a similar block schedule allowing teachers a block of planning each day. Elementary classes are not divided into blocks. Elementary students remain with the teacher for the duration of the day with the exception of enrichment classes (e.g., library, music, physical education, etc.) which are typically once a week. In many cases, the elementary teacher’s only feasible planning time is after school hours. The addition of the ten early dismissal days will allow planning time for these teachers. Early dismissal for students at the high school and middle schools will be 12:30 PM. Elementary students early dismissal will be 12:45 PM. Click the image to read more.

The 2nd Annual Taylorsville Apple Blossom Festival will be held in the streets of downtown Taylorsville on May 6. There will be lots of vendors with food, crafts, jewelry, novelties, and more. Activities include a car show, AG Quiz Bowl Contest, pony rides, Zootastic Petting Zoo, hayrides and more. All proceeds above operating cost go to the benevolence funds in the Alexander County Schools.

The Alexander Soil & Water Conservation District hosts six environmental contests for local schools every year. In order to encourage stewardship and instill good land ethic in today’s youth, each SWCD contest season has an environmental education component addressing a statewide theme. This year’s theme was: “Soil & Water: Yours for Life”. Our county winners for each contest were: 5th Grade Poster – Noah Jamison, Stony Point Elementary 6th Grade Essay – Steven Chapman, East Alexander Middle 6th Grade Slide Show – Grayson Presnell, East Alexander Middle 7th Grade Speech – Maya Adams, West Alexander Middle 8th Grade Speech – Maia Southers, East Alexander Middle 9th Grade Computer Poster – Logan Ellis, ACHS Congratulations to all of these winners and to everyone that participated! We hope that these environmental contests will spark an interest in natural resource conservation in these students. Click on the pictures to see more.

Alexander County School Board members and administration recognized two Alexander Central High School students, Kylie M. Brown and Mark Avery Bishop, as nominees for North Carolina Governor’s School. Kylie was selected to attend the 2017 session of NC Governor’s School East in the area of Natural Science. She will be on the campus of Meredith College. Kylie is the daughter of Stephen and Ginger Brown of the Bethlehem Community. Avery Bishop was selected to attend the 2017 session of NC Governor’s School West in the area of Natural Science. He will be on the campus of Salem College. Avery is the son of Mark and Kim Bishop of the Bethlehem Community. Read this story and more in School Matters.

The Alexander County School Nutrition Department has updated our school nutrition website to provide easier access to menus and nutrition information. Parents will also be pleased that the user-friendly monthly calendar format is back! We still have a mobile nutritional software mobile application. The previous app has been replaced with School Nutrition and Fitness. You will need to install a new app to have access on your phone. For more information, please go to the Alexander County Schools' website (www.alexander.k12.nc.us) and click on the lunch bag icon at the top of the page.

Watch the Alexander County Board of Education Meeting live at 12:30 p.m. http://youtu.be/qjGSUIXqjnk A Special Called Meeting of the Alexander County Board of Education will be held on Wednesday, February 22, 2017, beginning at 12:30 p.m. in the Board of Education Conference Room, 700 Liledoun Road, Taylorsville, NC. The sole purpose of the meeting is distribution of the NCDPI Facility Survey & Recommendations Report. No action will be taken at this meeting.

Tori Andras of Wittenburg Elementary School emerged as the 2017 Alexander County Spelling Bee Winner. Rachel Bishop of West Alexander Middle School placed second in the county-wide event. Click here to read more.

Congratulations to Jacob Palmer, 1st Place Winner, and Bryan Alba, 2nd Place Winner, of the Alexander County Middle School Geography Bee. Congratulations to all of the students who advanced to compete in the county event!

Three Alexander County students were recognized for their artwork submissions in the Holiday Card Contest. Laney Greene, Bethlehem Elementary School, Ian Julsrud, Stony Point Elementary School, and Emma Maltba, West Alexander Middle School. These three entries were selected from of 160 submissions to the contest. Their artwork is displayed on the front of the school system holiday cards. Each student received a framed copy the Christmas card with their artwork, a $25 gift card, and 30 of the cards to share with family and friends. Laney Green is in the 2nd grade and is the daughter of Ken and Jackie Green. Ian Julsrud is a 5th grade student and is the son of Joe and Cristi Julsrud. Emma Maltba is an 8th grade student and the daughter of Philip and Dori Maltba.

Three recently elected school board members were sworn in during the Alexander County Commissioners’ Meeting on Monday, December 5, 2016, by the Honorable Dale Graham. Scott Bowman of district 1, Caryn Brzykcy of district 3, and Brigette Rhyne of district 4 were all re-elected to their positions as school board members. The chairman and vice chairman positions were also elected at a meeting held after the swearing-in ceremony on December 5. Caryn Brzykcy is returning as the school board chairman and Scott Bowman is returning as the vice-chairman.

As a part of Alexander Central's E3 - Enrollment initiative the Counseling Center worked with four college and universities in our 2nd Annual Instant Acceptance Days! We are excited to share this year's success! October 18th: Lenoir-Rhyne University was on the campus of Alexander Central to Instantly Accept Seniors who had applied and met all of the event deadlines. We are happy to announce that 35 seniors were accepted to LRU! Scholarship monies offered that day total $1,720,000 over four years! Go Bears! October 25th: Western Carolina University was on the campus of Alexander Central to Instantly Accept Seniors who had applied and met all of the event deadlines. We are happy to announce that 30 seniors were accepted to WCU! Scholarship monies are not offered at the time due to WCU being a UNC state system university. Go Catamounts! November 2nd: Wingate University was on the campus of Alexander Central to Instantly Accept Seniors who had applied and met all of the event deadlines. We are happy to announce that 11 seniors were accepted to Wingate! Scholarship monies offered that day total $884,000 over four years! Go Bulldogs! November 22nd: Campbell University was on the campus of Alexander Central to Instantly Accept Seniors who had applied and met all of the event deadlines. We are happy to announce that 15 seniors were accepted to Campbell! Scholarship monies offered that day total $680,000 over four years! Go Camels! This is a grand total of 91 seniors accepted to college through these events with a grade total of $3,284,000.00 scholarship monies awarded. We are very proud of the Class of 2017! Please enjoy the photos that are attached! (note not all students were present for the pictures)

The 2015-2016 North Carolina School Report Cards, district and school snapshots along with additional data can be found under Quick Links on the left side of our homepage or by clicking the headline. Paper copies of each of the school's snapshots will be sent home with each student before November 23. The District Snapshot and each of the school's snapshots are also available at the Alexander County Board of Education. Email or call Teresa Smeeks, Director of Accountability with any questions at (828) 632-7001 or tsmeeks@alexander.k12.nc.us

The 28th Annual Taylorsville Apple Festival will be held on October 15, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Rain or Shine! With over 400 booths hosting a variety of food, craft, novelty vendors and exhibits there is sure to be something for everyone to enjoy. The Taylorsville Apple Festival is a charity (501c3) and all proceeds above operating costs go to The Needy Children's Benevolence Fund at our 12 Alexander County Schools. The Taylorsville Apple Festival is the largest event in Alexander County for the year hosting more than 30,000 people at the one-day event. The festival boasts three entertainment stages: The Main Stage on the courthouse lawn, the Gospel Stage at the west end of the festival, and the Children’s Stage on the east end of the festival. The Kid’s Korner is the biggest draw for our younger attendees. Food vendors surround the courthouse emitting some of the most wonderful smells and best tasting food you’ll find in the Carolinas. One can find, chopped barbeque, eggrolls, hamburgers and hotdogs, barbeque chicken, Italian sausages, and the list goes on. The first student to spot the principal of his/her school will be treated to a special lunch! Hope to see you at the 2016 Festival!

Alexander County Schools received the American Heart Association’s Silver Level District Circle of Excellence Award. The award recognizes school systems that partner with the American Heart Association to help educate students about heart-healthy living while raising funds through Jump Rope/Hoops for Heart. Alexader County Schools is the only district in North Carolina to be recognized for this outstanding achievement. Alexander County Schools students and staff raised $30,264 to support lifesaving research and educational programs with the American Heart Association.

School Board Members recognized three Alexander County School Nutrition Professionals who participated in the North Carolina K-12 Culinary Institute recently. Alexander Central High School Assistant Manager Natasha Snyder, Taylorsville Elementary School Manager Leslie George, and East Alexander Middle School Manager Tina Pope participated in the institute.

A reception was held on Friday, September 30, at the Applied Technologies Building at CVCC in Alexander County. The purpose of the event was to recognize the county as a NCWorks Certified Ready Community. The NCWorks Certified Work Ready Community (CWRC) initiative provides counties with a framework to validate that they have a skilled workforce ready to fill current and future jobs. Strategic partners in the CWRC initiative include, the North Carolina Community Colleges System, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the North Carolina Chamber, and numerous economic/workforce development entities throughout the state. Success of the CWRC initiative will be achieved when established goals of individuals earning a National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) are met; along with business recognition and recommendation of qualified NCRC applicants in their hiring process. We are proud that our school system partners with the community college and local businesses to ensure our students are Work Ready upon graduation.

East Alexander Middle School Communities In Schools (CIS) Site Coordinator Brittany Loudermilt Myers is Communities in Schools Site Coordinator of the Year for North Carolina. Pictured: CIS Coordinator Brittany Loudermilt Myers and School Board Member Brigette Rhyne.

Summer Tech PD will be held on Thursday, August 4th, from approximately 8 to 12. Bring a device! Yoga in the auditorium with Christine Deal for anyone needing a little stress relief - bring a yoga mat if you have one. Sign up with the link (photo).

Alexander Central High School Student Council members attended the 90th Annual North Carolina Association of Student Councils (NCASC) State Convention held in Fayetteville, North Carolina in March. A student delegation of Emily Bradbury, Lauren Lackey, Mattie Brown, and Stewart Brown represented ACHS. The students had an opportunity to tour the Airborne and Special Operations Museum, participate in a Stop Hunger Now activity, take dance lessons and hear from guest speakers including KJ Scrivens (Grammy-winning Songwriter), Richard Petty (NASCAR Fame), and Dexter Williams (Harlem Globetrotter legend and Wounded Warrior). The delegation also attended a Knight of the Round Table banquet where State Superintendent Dr. June Atkinson presented awards and recognitions. ACHS was recognized for their contribution to the Victory Junction Camp state project. The school board recognized Mattie Brown, Spencer Zachary, and Kim Henning who were all inducted into the NCASC Hall of Fame for their contributions to ACHS Student Council. The school board recognized Student Council Advisor Mrs. Kimberly Brown who received the Gold Lifetime Achievement Award for 25+ years of service to the National Association of Student Councils. The school board recognized Lauren Lackey who was elected as President Elect and will serve a two-year term on the NCASC state board. She will be the President-Elect during the 2016- 2017 school year and the state President during the 2017 - 2018 school year. Alexander Central will serve as the host school for the 2018 state convention. As State President, Alexander Central will represent North Carolina across the state and at the Southern Association of Student Councils and the National Association of Student Council Conferences during their terms in office.

Alexander Central High School Beta Club District and State Convention Awards - The Alexander Central High School Beta Club recently attended the district convention in Wilkesboro and State Beta Club convention in Greensboro. Forty-three members attended the state convention in February. The club received a Growth Award at the state convention for increasing attendance at the convention by 10%. Individual finalist at the district level: • Emily Mawyer - 1st Place, Division I Mathematics • Ben Teague - 2nd Place - Division II Mathematics • Seth Bowman - 1st Place - Division II Agriculture • Lauren Wasmund - 1st Place - Special Talent • Kylie Brown - 2nd Place - Division I English • Ashlee Falls - 3rd Place - Division I Science • Emily Bradbury - 3rd Place - Division I Spelling Individual winners at the state level: • Lauren Wasmund - One of Eight Finalists in Special Talent, singing a song that she wrote and playing the ukulele. • Emily Mawyer - 1st Place - Division I Mathematics • Ben Teague - 1st Place - Division II Mathematics • Seth Bowman - 3rd Place - Division II Agriculture Co-Sponsors of the Beta Club are Stefanie Smith and Kerri Wimberly. Pictured top left is Lauren Wasmund District and State winner; top right District finalist Ashlee Falls, Lauren Wasmund, and Emily Bradbury; and bottom photo ACHS Beta Club Representatives honored for Club Growth Award.

Mikayah Parsons from East Alexander Middle School emerged as the 2016 Alexander County Spelling Bee Winner. Michael Brown from Ellendale Elementary School placed second in the competition. The winning words were chronology and gregarious. Miss Parsons spelled both words with confidence. She will advance to the regional competition in Winston-Salem on March 20, 2016.

The Alexander County Middle School Geography Bee was held Wednesday, February 10, 2016 at the Alexander County Board of Education office. Zachary Ware, West Alexander Middle School student, was the winner of the county competition. Eric Salomon, West Alexander Middle School student, was the second place winner. The format of the competition included the use of activotes, handheld remotes which allowed the student to select their answers on an ActivBoard, which displayed the questions. Moderator for the event, Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Hefner read the questions aloud. A total of twelve students from the middle schools competed at the school level to participate in the county competition. Each school conducted competitions to determine who would advance to the county competition. Amber Treadway was East Alexander Middle School’s competition coordinator, while Arnold Cogswell and Adam Walker represented West Alexander Middle School. The teachers were responsible for coordinating the school competitions and assisting students participating in the county competition. The competition consisted of oral and written rounds including mixed category questions ranging from physical geography to cultural and political geography.

The Alexander Central High School Drama Club invites the public to “The Last Word” on Friday, January 29 and Saturday, January 30 at 7:00 p.m. in the ACHS Auditorium. Admission is only $5 per person. The play is written by Christina Castling and directed by Amos McCandless. About “The Last Word” In the land of Dowser, words have mysteriously started to disappear. As police, parents, and grannies all struggle to make themselves understood, Jake and Sadia embark on an adventure to end the silence, and along the way, make a shocking discovery. Winner of Trinity College London’s International Playwriting Competition in 2012, “The Last Word” explores the importance and power of language and urges us to consider what we might be able to achieve with our words. Holding letters picture: Students from left to right: Gabby Church, Bre Resecker, Alicia Hartley, Alex Curry, Allie Little. Cast picture: Front Row: Rebecca Richards, Aubrey Goldsmith , Aaron Fox, Alex Curry Back Row: Allie Little, Gabby Church, Sydney Garnto, Bre Resecker, Ron Coley, Dean Liechty, Jasmine Wiley, Alicia Hartley

Taylorsville Elementary staff and community members joined together to pack food boxes for 225 families. The effort is to provide food for students and their families over the Christmas break. With the help of generous community, business, and church donors, the school was given enough funds to meet their goal of nearly $4,000! The staff realizes the holiday can cause a financial strain on many families and hopes these meals will lessen the stress. The families who do not have a financial need for the meal are encouraged to work together as a family to pay it forward and give the meal to another needy family. The staff hopes this will provide an opportunity for parents to teach their children the importance of community and helping others in times of need. The meal boxes include all of the items needed for a traditional holiday meal.

Two Alexander County students were recognized for their artwork submissions in the Christmas Card Contest. Ruth Cruz, 6th grade student from East Alexander Middle School and Ashton Curtis, 2nd grade student from Stony Point Elementary School submitted the winning entries. Their artwork is displayed on the front of the school system holiday cards. Each student received a framed copy of her artwork, a $25 gift card, and 30 of the cards to share with family and friends.

Spencer Zachary, Alexander Central High School senior, won first place in the North Carolina School Boards Association video competition. The competition was titled, "What's Super About Public Schools?" Zachary received a trophy and $3,000 for the school.

Ashley Byrd, Alexander Central High School (ACHS) Junior, was recognized by the Board of Education members and administration for representing ACHS as a delegate at the 2015 Congress of Future Scientists and Technologists in Boston, MA from June 29 to July 1, 2015. Read all the news from the Alexander County Board of Education Meeting.

"In appreciation for all you do every day to keep our buildings and grounds clean, I wanted to say thank you and to let you know how much I appreciate you and the job you do for our students and staff. A clean building speaks volumes to the general public and visitors about what goes on inside of that building. Thank you for playing such an important role in our system and for the many ways you promote our educational programs!" - Dr. Jennifer Hefner

Dr. Bill Griffin was named Executive Director of Auxiliary Services for Alexander County School System beginning July 2015. Dr. Griffin will be responsible for Human Resources, the Alternative Learning Program (ALP), Digital Learning, School Safety, and Driver Education. Read more...

In the 2014-15 academic year alone, five North Carolina students were injured by motorists passing stopped school buses. The N.C. State Board of Education has revised its bus safety policy to require a standard hand signal bus drivers will use to tell students when a street is safe to cross. For more information, click here or visitwww.ncbussafety.org/safetylessons.

Three talented Alexander County students were recognized for their artwork selected to represent the school system for the district holiday card. One design was selected at each of the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Dalton Adams, a 5th grade student at Hiddenite Elementary School, was the elementary winner. He is the son of Dean and April Adams. Aiden Hager, a 7th grade student at East Alexander Middle School, was the middle school winner. He is the son of Michael and Naomi Hager of Taylorsville. Crystal Ervin, a 12th grade student at Alexander Central High School, was the high school winner. She is the daughter of Shannon Carpenter and John Ervin.

Alexander Central High School (ACHS) Athletic Director Joanna Crew was recognized by the Alexander County Board of Education and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association for earning the distinction of Certified Athletic Administrator. Coach Crew has been the Athletic Director at ACHS since April of 2012. She has coached and taught at ACHS since 2004. She holds a Bachleor of Science Degree in Exercise and Sports Science from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. “I am proud of the work that Coach Crew does at the high school and I know she has a tough job. I am exceedingly proud that she has earned certification as Athletic Administrator,” stated Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Hefner. “Coach Crew pursued this certification on a voluntary basis which to me shows another level of dedication to her profession.” To earn the distinction of Certiified Athletic Administrator, Coach Crew demonstrated the highest level of knowledge and expertise in the field of interscholastic athletic administration. The process included a through evaluation of her educational background, experience, and professional contributions, as well as a rigorous, comprehensive written examination. Coach Crew is one of an elite group of interscholastic athletic administrators nationwide to attain this level of professionalism.

The Award of Honor ceremony and reception for Ms. Jean Reid was held on Sunday, September 14, 2014 in the Alexander Central Auditorium. Friends, family, former co-workers and students, and community members attended the ceremony and reception.The Award of Honor is the highest honor the Alexander County Board of Education can bestow on an individual. The award recognizes individuals who have made exceptional contributions to Alexander County’s schools in the areas of academics, athletics, administration, student achievement or community service. Nominees are assessed on their positive effect on the quality of education in Alexander County as recognized by fellow students, teachers, administrators, and the community in general. Read more...

Two Alexander County teachers, Daniel Fincannon of Alexander Central High School and Takiyah McCathern of Ellendale Elementary School were selected to participate in the Governor’s Teacher Network. North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory, along with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, established the Governor's Teacher Network (GTN) to provide a platform for good teachers to share their most innovative and creative practices. The program provides teachers in the state with resources and practical experience from their peers on best instructional practices and professional development. Four hundred and fifty teachers from across North Carolina were selected to serve for one year as instructional and professional development experts and facilitators. Teachers continue in their classrooms, but are compensated for the additional work developing professional development sessions and/or curriculum materials. The resources produced are housed in Home Base, a statewide instructional improvement and student information system. Teachers were selected through an application process and specialized training over the summer. Each teacher serves for one year.

Ethan Dancy, 2014 Alexander Central High School Graduate, was recognized by the board members for his second place win at the SkillsUSA National Competition in Residential Systems and Maintenance contest. The SkillsUSA National Leadership Conference/Competition was held in Kentucky June 22 – June 26. More than 6,000 students attended and participated in the conference. Ethan currently attends Mitchell Community College pursuing an associate’s degree. He is the son of Glenn and Kellie Dancy of Hiddenite.

Alexander County Board of Education announced Dr. Jennifer Hefner as Superintendent of Alexander County Schools effective August 1, 2014. Dr. Hefner served as Acting Superintendent and then as Interim Superintendent from May until July 31, 2014. Dr. Hefner has been an associate superintendent since July 2012. She served as interim assistant superintendent from March 2012 until July 2012.

Dr. Lisa Harrington was named assistant principal at Bethlehem and Hiddenite Elementary Schools for the 2014-2015 school year. She most recently served as assistant principal at West Wilkes High School.

Weygant Named First Year Teacher of the Year Ms. Heather Weygant was named SECU First Year Teacher of the Year at the Board of Education Meeting on June 10, 2014. She is an Exceptional Children Teacher at Hiddenite Elementary. Read other news from the board meeting by clicking on the headline.